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More than a two-day tradeshow—it’s the crossroads of global culinary excellence and Louisiana hospitality.

If you’re in the business of feeding folks, serving up good times, or creating unforgettable hospitality experiences, the LRA Showcase is where you need to be. This isn’t your typical tradeshow—it’s Louisiana’s ultimate gathering for restaurants, bars, hotels, caterers, clubs, and decision-makers ready to level up with the latest products, trends, and connections.

In 2026, the Showcase takes on an even bigger stage: nestled between four world-class competitions—the Pastry World Cup Americas, Bocuse d’Or Americas, the Great American Seafood Cook-Off, and the Four Roses Bourbon Global Expedition Cocktail Competition. That means more energy, more traffic, and more opportunities for you to connect with qualified buyers from across the Gulf South and beyond.

Expect authentic Southern hospitality, real business opportunities, and a show floor packed with the best suppliers in the industry. Whether you’re a chef, owner, operator, or beverage director, you’ll find exactly what you need to grow your business—from cutting-edge kitchen equipment to handcrafted cocktails that’ll keep your customers coming back.

Attendee Registration Now Open!

Schedule

Saturday, July 25

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Showcase Hours

-Hall I, New Orleans Morial Convention Center

9:45 - 10 a.m.

Showcase Opening Ceremony

-Registration Area, Hall I

11:15 a.m.

Great American Seafood Cook-Off Opening Ceremony, presented by Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser

-Hall J, New Orleans Morial Convention Center

11:30 a.m.

Cooking Demo: Chefs Edgar "Dook" Chase & Zoe Chase, Dooky Chase Restaurant

-Hall I, Across from Registration Area, Cooking Demo Stage presented by Fortune Fish

12:15 p.m.

Speaker Session: State of the Restaurant Industry & Economic Outlook, Chad Moutray, Ph.D.

-Hall I, Across from Registration Area, Kitchen Counter Stage presented by Ecolab

1:15 p.m.

Cooking Demo: Miss Shirley Lee & Carling Lee Gannon, Miss Shirley's Chinese Restaurant

-Hall I, Across from Registration Area,  Cooking Demo Stage presented by Fortune Fish

2 p.m.

Speaker Session: Michelle Anderson, sponsored by Fisher Phillips

-Hall I, Across from Registration Area, Kitchen Counter Stage presented by Ecolab

3 p.m.

Cooking Demo: Chris Vazquez, Executive Chef, Ralph's on the Park

-Hall I, Across from Registration Area, Cooking Demo Stage presented by Fortune Fish

4 p.m.

2026 LRA Awards sponsored by DIRECTV for Business - National Accounts

-Hall I, Across from Registration Area, Kitchen Counter Stage presented by Ecolab

Sunday, July 26

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Showcase Hours

-Hall I, New Orleans Morial Convention Center

11 a.m. 

Speaker Session: Keeping Restaurants in Business: Financial Strategies Every Owner Should Know, sponsored by Accounting Services Unlimited

-Hall I, Across from Registration Area, Kitchen Counter Stage presented by Ecolab

Noon

Demo Stage: National Runner-Up Presentation: Chalmette ProStart Live, sponsored by the LRA Education Foundation

-Hall I, Across from Registration Area, Cooking Demo Stage presented by Fortune Fish

12:15 - 1 p.m. 

Speaker Session: Risky Business: How to Bulletproof Your Restaurant, sponsored by Johnson, Yacoubian & Paysse

-Hall I, Across from Registration Area, Kitchen Counter Stage presented by Ecolab

1 p.m.

Demo Stage: Chef Tony Rodrigue, Acme Oyster House

-Hall I, Across from Registration Area, Cooking Demo Stage presented by Fortune Fish

2 - 2:45 p.m.

Keynote Speaker: Futurist Shawn DuBravac, sponsored by New Orleans & Company

-Hall I, Across from Registration Area, Kitchen Counter Stage presented by Ecolab

3 p.m. 

Demo Stage: Chef Wiley Wilkinson Lewis, Delacroix Restaurant

-Hall I, Across from Registration Area, Cooking Demo Stage presented by Fortune Fish

3:15 - 4:30 p.m. 

Four Roses Bourbon Global Expedition Cocktail Competition presented Reyes Beverage Company & Louisiana Restaurant Association 

-Hall J, New Orleans Morial Convention Center

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